Lead Free Solder?

[Klaymator14]

When working on portables, is it fine to use lead free solder? It's the only kind I have laying around... would it be bad to use, since I am pretty sure the solder used on game consoles contain lead... and would it be bad to mix these two kinds? Thanks if you can answer my questions!

-Blayke

[collinE]

it is 100% ok

[Life of Brian]

It's okay to mix the two. The only issue with using lead free solder is that you might need to use a higher temperature, but really that's about it.

[Squidlekins]

plus lead free solder should be safer to eat!

[bicostp]

It doesn't taste as good though.

[snowpenguin]

XD

Ya, lead free solder is a big issue on consoles like the 360 and PS3, new stuff, because it is more brittle, or is that just the particular solder that they used on those consoles?

[Klaymator14]

Haha, ok, thanks everyone! I got my Dreamcast hooked up to my picoPSU, now I just need to wire the screen up, then I need to wait for my battery and controller to be delivered. Thanks!

-Blayke

[UTVAK315]

I personally don't like mixing them but that could be my own superstition against it. I usually just clean off any old solder and put down my new solder in place of it to avoid mixing. Lead free in consoles would actually be better than lead because it has a higher melting point, its just that they are too hot to begin with.

[nitro2k01]

I personally don't like mixing them but that could be my own superstition against it. I usually just clean off any old solder and put down my new solder in place of it to avoid mixing. Lead free in consoles would actually be better than lead because it has a higher melting point, its just that they are too hot to begin with.

They're basically the same. Mixing lead-free and leaded solder will just give you leaded solder with a little less lead in it. Cleaning off the old solder is still a good idea though, since it will likely have oxide and/or other dirt on the surface. But this would be true with the existing joint had the same type of solder as the one you're using.
As for your second point, if a video game console gets so hot that it's risking to melt the solder, then you have other problems. (Ie a short circuit or you need a heatsink.)

[UTVAK315]

I personally don't like mixing them but that could be my own superstition against it. I usually just clean off any old solder and put down my new solder in place of it to avoid mixing. Lead free in consoles would actually be better than lead because it has a higher melting point, its just that they are too hot to begin with.

They're basically the same. Mixing lead-free and leaded solder will just give you leaded solder with a little less lead in it. Cleaning off the old solder is still a good idea though, since it will likely have oxide and/or other dirt on the surface. But this would be true with the existing joint had the same type of solder as the one you're using.
As for your second point, if a video game console gets so hot that it's risking to melt the solder, then you have other problems. (Ie a short circuit or you need a heatsink.)

That's completely true. I was primarily thinking of the 360 and all the issues with overheating. Although its because of the heatsinks and not the solder. Which is exactly what you are saying anyways.

[nitro2k01]

Oh the 360, that's a different story. I was just assuming you were talking about old-school consoles. Sorry.